Elks sit atop CFL West at 8-3 heading into Week 13 action
Edmonton holds the best record in the CFL's West Division as Winnipeg and Calgary battle to stay in the playoff picture.
Why it matters
The Elks' 8-3 record gives Edmonton the top seed in the West Division as the CFL season heads toward the playoffs.
The Edmonton Elks lead the CFL's West Division with an 8-3 record heading into Week 13, sitting ahead of the Saskatchewan Roughriders (6-4), the B.C. Lions and Winnipeg Blue Bombers (both 5-5, with B.C. holding the tiebreaker on point differential) and the Calgary Stampeders, who are last in the division at 4-6.
Edmonton's position atop the standings comes off a win over Winnipeg last week in which the Bombers blew a 16-0 lead, marking Winnipeg's third loss in four games. That defeat has fueled doubts among fans about whether the Bombers remain a genuine Grey Cup contender, though running back Brady Oliveira said the team's belief in itself has not wavered.
Winnipeg now faces its toughest test of the season on the road against the CFL-leading Montreal Alouettes (9-1), who have won seven straight games. Montreal's offence, led by quarterback Davis Alexander, is averaging 344 passing yards per game, about 80 more than Winnipeg's attack, while the Bombers' defence has allowed the fewest passing yards and lowest opponent completion percentage in the league this season.
Montreal can clinch a playoff spot this week with a win combined with a Hamilton loss to Calgary, while the West Division race continues to take shape with Edmonton holding the inside track for top spot.
Compiled by the Alberta Daily Desk — an AI-written summary of reporting from the credited sources below, produced and reviewed under our editorial policy.